by Thomas Eickhoff

It’s Christmas.

It’s the time of year we light candles to symbolize the light that has come, the light we have seen, the light we have come to know, the light we have become.

It’s also a time to wonder.

Recently I received one of those if-you-agree-pass-this-on e-mails. This one is not unlike others I have seen, some even read, but it is one that caused me to pause and think …and wonder.

And I think of the candle we lit last night at church.

The letter I received sounds Christian. It is cloaked in “Christian” values. It is passed around in Christian circles. Yet, there is something about it that seems so …so not like the candle we lit.

Out of curiosity, I inserted the words of Christ/God into the un-named author’s letter – something he or she failed to do even once. While the letter was originally sad, it now became alarming. When juxtaposed against the words of Christ, of God, the letter is so anti-Christ, one has to wonder who really wrote it.

The letter, unedited, with the words of God/Christ inserted:

America Needs A Leader Like This!

Prime Minister John Howard – Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”
Mt 5 v43-47

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Mt 5 v38, 39

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation’s mosques. Quote: “IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It.”

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them… I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
1 Cor 9 v19-23

“I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.”

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone….
Gal 6 v9,10

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
1 Cor 10 v23-33

…we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
1 Cor 9 v11

“Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.”

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Mt 6 v14

“Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Mt 18 v21,22

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Jn 18 v36

These all died in faith …having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Heb 11 v13

“This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom”

For freedom Christ has set us free.
Gal 5 v1

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jn 8 v31-35

“We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society. Learn the language!”

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2 v1-4

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
Mt 28 v19

“Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.”

Then the King will say to those on his right,”‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food….”
Mt 25 v31-46

“We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.  This OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE.”

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “
Mt 6 v19, 21

“And we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life.”

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness”.
Mt 23 v23

“‘I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, ‘THE RIGHT TO LEAVE’ “.

Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Mt 14 v13-21

“If you aren’t happy here then LEAVE. We didn’t force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.”

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Mt 9 v36

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Mt 14 v13

Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
Jn 14 v6

If you agree please SEND THIS ON.

…and I wondered what we were passing on.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Mt 5 v14-16

What does it really mean to light a candle?

I wondered what this world might be like if everyone who sat in churches this Christmas watching the child lite another advent candle, took the light that candle represents and went outside, into the cold, into the darkness, and shined that light?

What would happen if all went out, found an immigrant individual or family, maybe even a “potential terrorist”, put arms around them and welcomed them to a place with light? What if all were wished a sincere Merry Christmas by ones who have the light of Christmas?

Arise, shine, for your light has come.
Is 60 v1

And I did not wonder of the smiles that would be lit.